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When Mikhail Gorbachev came to Britain in December, the visit was memorable for Mrs Thatcher’s verdict that this rising Soviet star was a man she could “do business with”.

To government insiders, however, it was the occasion when he threw Downing Street officials into a fluster by dropping in on No 10 unannounced.

Mr Gorbachev was being driven down Whitehall when he suddenly expressed a wish to see the outside of No 10, official papers revealed. The Special Branch officer with him negotiated access past the barrier and the police officer at the door let the Soviet party into the